As we embark on the future of technology, community managers and strategists are continuously seeking innovative ways to build and manage their communities. This has led to fascinating concepts such as the decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), tokens and gated communities that have revolutionized the community management scene.

One example that stands out in this emerging landscape is Friends With Benefits (FWB), a Web3 community that has proven to be immensely successful.

Let’s take a deep dive into FWB's structure, unpack key lessons from their experience, and explore how future communities may navigate this evolving landscape.

The Structure of Friends With Benefits

Friends With Benefits is a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) that was first formed as a private Discord server in 2020. Each member of this community is required to purchase FWB tokens, with different membership tiers offering varying benefits. This token system fosters a sense of ownership, commitment, and active participation in the community.

What sets FWB apart is how they view their community. To them, FWB is more than just a community; it’s a digital neighborhood or a city. And just like a city, each individual plays a role in shaping the collective experience. Taking this concept further, FWB has built their own ticketing systems for events and messaging apps for their members. This closed, self-contained ecosystem brings a higher level of engagement and exclusivity, making it more enticing for potential members and adding another dimension of value to the community.

Building and Sustaining Engagement

A huge challenge in building a community, especially online, is maintaining member engagement. Friends With Benefits has successfully tackled this by offering exclusive, real-life events for members holding their token. From intimate dinners in Miami to extensive three-day festivals in California, these events provide a unique blend of virtual and real engagement that keeps the community lively.

This strategy of coupling a digital community with real-world interactions comes with a certain level of mystique that piques interest and drives engagement. These events not only stimulate activity within the community but also generate chatter outside of it, attracting potential new members.

The Shift to Micro-Communities

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, there's been a distinct shift from mass consumerism to niche, interest-based communities, or 'micro-communities.' These communities offer safer spaces for individuals to interact and engage. They move away from the mass congregations on big social networks to more specific, intimate spaces where discussion and engagement are more personalized and genuine.

Friends With Benefits is a model example of this trend. Their focus on specific interests—culture, technology, Web3—naturally attracts individuals invested in these subjects. Pair this focus with their unique brand experience and innovative operational model, and you have a promising blueprint for future micro-communities.

Lessons for Future Communities

Building a successful community, like Friends With Benefits, requires a strategy. For businesses aiming to develop their communities, starting with a private base of driven, invested members can create a strong foundation. Also, while virtual engagement tools are a requirement, real-life experiences can add an invaluable extension to community participation. Lastly, currency systems like tokens can amplify member engagement and foster a unique sense of ownership.

Ultimately, each community is unique; what worked for FWB may not work for every community, but this case provides valuable insights that can inform and inspire upcoming community builders and leaders.

By embracing the future of technology and continually adapting to meet the needs of their members, communities like Friends With Benefits can thrive and set a new standard in community building and engagement in the digital age.

Interested in learning more about innovative community-building strategies? Share this post with your network and explore how the principles behind Friends With Benefits can inspire your approach to community engagement. For deeper insights into community management and other digital marketing strategies, visit Tobe Agency’s blog page. Join us as we navigate the future of community building together.